Pistorius trial

[rosy]

That's appalling, Liv. I'd have thought that getting their ducks in a row with the evidence should be so basic that silly mistakes are not made.

I hope the SA police do a better job with the Dewani evidence, and in the investigation of the shooting of Senzo Meyiwa.

[Tess]

South Africa's prosecutors have filed an appeal against the "shockingly light" sentence given to athlete Oscar Pistorius, court papers show.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29 ... ws+stories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't disagree with them.

[Tabitha]

I see he's out next one, having served a year.

[Lily]

I don't know what to say to that. Bloody HELL. So that's what I have to say, I suppose.

[Tess]

I just read this. I simply don't get it. Murder GF, cry a bit, get slapped on wrist. WTF?

[Tabitha]

It seems incredible doesn't it? I wonder how Reeva's parents feel about it.

[Faddy]

I feel so sorry for them

[la Fée Verte]

From this BBC article:

During his house arrest, Pistorius is likely to face restrictions in terms of gun ownership and may have to continue getting psychotherapy, reports the BBC's Nomsa Maseko from Johannesburg.

Likely to face restrictions on gun ownership when he's under house arrest for killing someone with a gun? Likely? Jesus.

[Ella]

I wonder if they will just take out a hit on him.

[Kleio]

They could just say they thought he was a burglar.

[nick]

Apparently the prosecution have the right to appeal this? So lets hope they do.

[Ella]

They could just say they thought he was a burglar.

Quite :sman:.

[welshy]

So he can stay at home, not drink, not have access to guns but be allowed to go to work ? Sounds like what I do most of the week. Justice ? I don't think so, and I am sorry but if he was unknown and black, well do I really need to spell it out ? It's a fucking joke.

[Vermilingua]

Verdirct has been changed to murder.

[Edith Bacon]

That sits much more comfortably with me.

[la Fée Verte]

Reading the ruling reached by a panel of judges, Justice Lorimer Leach said that having armed himself with a high-calibre weapon, Pistorius must have foreseen that whoever was behind the door might die.

Pistorius' lawyer argued that he believed that there was an intruder in the house but the judge said that the identity of the person behind the door was irrelevant.

I agree with the judge, but I'm not sure how this equates to murder rather than manslaughter, suddenly?

[Rosa]

Presumably he'll be sent back to jail then. The house arrest thing is a farce.

[Calico]

Good. The manslaughter verdict and house arrest was, as Azu says, a farce.

[Tess]

Premeditation Fée - he knew his actions would (be likely to) result in the death of the person rather than the death being a result he hadn't foreseen/expected.

So he goes to jail now?

[Calico]

Yeah, the idea that you shoot a high-powered rifle through a door, four times, and are surprised that anyone on the other side of it dies is fairly risible.

He's due back in court for a new sentence, Tess, I can't believe he'll get house arrest again.